Dubai: Pakistanis in the UAE celebrated their 67th Independence Day on Wednesday with prayers to end terrorism and the economic crisis in the country.
The Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai led the celebrations with flag-hoisting ceremonies at their premises early on Wednesday morning.
Ceremonies at both venues began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Charge d’ Affaires Syed Ahsan Raza Shah raised the Pakistan flag in Abu Dhabi, while Acting Consul General Mohammad Tariq Wazir hoisted the flag in Dubai.
A large number of Pakistanis along with their families participated in the ceremonies and joined in the singing of the national anthem.
Independence Day messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out to the audience. In his message President Asif Ali Zardari urged the people of Pakistan to work collectively for a progressive, tolerant, moderate and pluralistic Pakistan as envisioned by the great independence leaders.
Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, in his message, called on the people of Pakistan to demonstrate exemplary unity and solidarity, and renewed the pledge to dedicate all energies to lead Pakistan to a high level of development and prosperity as envisioned by Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Shah extended his warmest felicitations to the Pakistani community. He recalled the excellent fraternal relations between Pakistan and the UAE and stated that the two countries have always stood by each other. He expressed his gratitude to the UAE leaders for their consistent support to the people of Pakistan. He commended the Pakistani community for playing a vital role in the extraordinary development of the UAE.
In his speech, Wazir called for the fostering of unity for development of the country and inculcating a profound sense of solidarity. He said the overseas Pakistani community should endeavour to emanate the message to the world that Pakistanis believe in peaceful coexistence and want to progress as a forward-looking nation.
Acknowledging contributions of the UAE leadership, Wazir mentioned that a number of educational projects have been completed by the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan. These educational projects include primary, high schools and degree colleges as well as vocational training institutes, he added. He stated that both government and families of the students thank President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for promoting education in Pakistan. He urged Pakistanis in UAE from all walks of life to work with utmost devotion for the development and progress of their host brotherly Muslim country.
A number of community members have also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, increasing terrorism and the economic crisis in Pakistan.
Sardar Javed Yaqoob, Dubai-based Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, said it is time to take revolutionary steps to change the plight of people of Pakistan. He said the country was bleeding due to terrorism. The deepening power crisis and inflation have made people’s lives difficult, he said.
Mohammad Ali, a Sharjah-based businessman, said the Pakistan leadership should focus on rooting out terrorism in the country. “The government should also provide incentives to overseas Pakistanis to end economic crisis by paving way for safe and secure investment opportunities,” he added.
A number of events have also been organised by the Pakistani community across the UAE.
Pakistani Association Dubai will organise special celebrations to mark the Independence Day on Saturday at the Pakistan Education Academy.
A musical evening is being held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Famous Pakistani folk singers including Ibrarul Haq and Shazia Khushk will perform at the event.
